A recent study has revealed that infants and toddlers are more effective at transmitting COVID-19 to others in their households compared to teenagers. Following a promising period of increased vaccinations in the spring, the rate of new infections has surged again, particularly with the rise of the Delta variant. Many believe that very young children are less likely to introduce the virus into their homes than older teens, which is somewhat accurate. However, a Canadian study reported by the New York Times indicates that once babies and toddlers contract the virus, they are more likely to pass it on to family members.
Research Findings
Researchers examined households with confirmed COVID-19 cases, identifying the initial person who showed symptoms or tested positive, focusing on those under 18. They then tracked secondary cases—other household members who became ill within two weeks of the first infection. One individual’s experience shared on Twitter echoes this finding.
Earlier in the pandemic, it was suggested that young children rarely contracted or spread the virus. Some experts now challenge this view, noting that children had limited social interactions during initial lockdowns. Dr. Emily Carter, a respiratory epidemiologist at Vanderbilt University, noted that researchers may have been influenced by the fact that children were largely kept at home, restricted from playdates and activities outside their households.
Implications for Care and Protection
The findings highlight how very young children require considerable care and cannot be left unsupervised when they fall ill. This study confirms that even the youngest children can readily transmit the virus, stated Zoe Green, an epidemiologist from the University of Western Australia. She emphasized that the clear transmission happening among children in households indicates a pressing need to consider protective measures for schools as they prepare to reopen.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, this study has demonstrated that babies and toddlers can spread COVID-19 more effectively than teens once infected. This underscores the importance of protective measures as schools prepare to reopen.